Prefabricated and demountable building

ABSTRACT

A prefabricated and demountable building structure is disclosed. The structure provides for ready transportation and quick and easy assembly and disassembly in a minimum of time without the necessity of having to provide various tools to assist in the erection or demounting. The unit consists of a floor assembly having a central floor disc and a number of floor segments which interlock with the disc and with adjacent floor segments. Wall segments which are generally rectangular in side view fit together to form a wall enclosure which interlocks with the floor assembly. A roof assembly consists of a number of individual roof segments which interlock with adjacent roof segments and also interlock with the wall enclosure. The roof assembly is capped by a suitable vent or bonnet arrangement to hold all of the various roof segments in sturdy relationship. The vertical edges of the wall segments are provided with outstanding flanges which form a double flange to receive a wedge clamp to hold adjacent segments securely together. The double flange increases downwardly in width to receive a tapering wedge clamp which is slid over the double flange. The roof segments are likewise provided with flanges on their side or radial edges which butt together to form a double flange with the double flange increasing in width inwardly to receive a tapering roof wedge clamp. A suitable door and/or windows may be provided in selected one of the various wall segments.

Tuuri [451 Sept. 17, 1974 1 1 PREFABRICATED AND DEMOUNTABLE BUILDING[76] Inventor: Elmer W. Tuuri, Muskoka Lakes, Ontario, Canada 22 Filed:Nov. 13,1972

211 Appl. No.: 306,366

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 22, 1971 Canada 128257 [52]US. Cl 52/82, 52/200, 52/245, 52/582 [51] Int. Cl E04b l/343 [58] Fieldof Search 52/82, 199, 200, 237, 245, 52/246, 247, 270, 293, 584, 582,469, 465

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 465,900 12/1891 Walker52/199 X 791,149 5/1905 Hellyer 52/245 X 953,827 4/1910 Haas 52/2451,261,454 4/1918 Stafford..... 52/245 1,613,916 1/1927 Tanner 52/2472,267,652 12/1941 Hasenburger et al.... 52/483 2,649,625 8/1953 Johnson52/246 2,733,784 2/1956 Berry 52/293 X 2,775,794 1/1957 Keely 52/823,068,534 12/1962 Hu 52/237 X 3,119,153 1/1964 Martin 52/82 3,277,62010/1966 Martin 52/82 3,281,999 11/1966 Keely 52/82 3,295,265 l/l967 Hida52/82 3,513,608 5/1970 Nagrod 52/82 3,727,355 4/1973 Vachon 52/82FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 938,939 10/1963 Great Britain 52/245Australia 52/82 France 52/245 Primary ExaminerPrice C. Faw, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT A prefabricated and demountable building structure isdisclosed. The structure provides for ready transportation and quick andeasy assembly and disassembly in a minimum of time without the necessityof having to provide various tools to assist in the erection ordemounting. The unit consists of a floor assembly having a central floordisc and a number of floor segments which interlock with the disc andwith adjacent floor segments. Wall segments which are generallyrectangular in side view fit together to form a wall enclosure whichinterlocks with the floor assembly. A roof assembly consists of a numberof individual roof segments which interlock with adjacent roof segmentsand also interlock with the wall enclosure. The roof assembly is cappedby a suitable vent or bonnet arrangement to hold all of the various roofsegments in sturdy relationship. The vertical edges of the wall segmentsare provided with outstanding flanges which form a double flange toreceive a wedge clamp to hold adjacent segments securely together. Thedouble flange increases downwardly in width to receive a tapering wedgeclamp which is slid over the double flange. The roof segments arelikewise provided with flanges on their side or radial edges which butttogether to form a double flange with the double flange increasing inwidth inwardly to receive a tapering roof wedge clamp. A suitable doorand/or windows may be provided in selected one of the various wallsegments.

8 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures PAIENIEBsEP I 11914 3 L 8 35 6 0 2 SHEET 1of 7 FMENIEB SE?! 1 m4 sum a nr 7 jPAIENIEBsEH mu SHEET E [If 7PREFABRICATED AND DEMOUNTABLE BUILDING The present invention relates toa demountable and prefabricated building structure, and particularly toa prefabricated building structure which can easily and simply betransported from location to location and which can be assembled anddisassembled in a short period of time without the necessity of havingany special tools to assist in the erection or demounting.

In broadly general terms, the building structure of the presentinvention consists of four basic units, a floor assembly, a wallassembly, a roof assembly and a bonnet or vent for securing various roofsegments, which together form the roof assembly, together.

The floor assembly consists of a centrally positioned floor disc, and anumber of floor segments or sections with each of the floor segmentsbeing substantially frusto-triangular in configuration and having topsurfaces which are substantially planar. The inner edges of the floorsegments are adapted to butt against and interlock with the centrallypositioned floor disc to provide the floor assembly. Each floor segmentinterlocks with adjacent floor segments in a manner to be described inmore detail below to provide a floor structure which is dustanddraughtand moisture-free.

The wall assembly consists of a number of wall segments or sections.Each wall segment interlocks with adjacent wall sections, and thevertical side edges of the wall segments are provided with outstandingflange portions and interlocking rib and groove portions with theabutting flange portions of adjacent wall segments being held togetherby means of tapering wall wedge assemblies which when slid over theflanges of abutting wall segments provide a tight and moistureandwindproof and strong and durable enclosure without the necessity ofhaving to employ additional securing means, such as nuts and bolts, andthe like. Additionally the various wall segments interlock with theouter edges of the floor segments.

The roof assembly consists of a number of roof segments or sections.Each roof segment is generally frustotriangular in configuration withthe lower surface of the outer edges of each roof segment being providedwith suitable groove means to receive upstanding rib portions providedon the wall segments. The roof segments interlock with adjacent roofsegments and are secure to each other by means of tapering roof wedgeswhich engage over flanges provided on the side edges of adjacent roofsegments. The roof assembly itself is secured to the wall structure bymeans of suitable hook or clamping arrangements without the necessity ofhaving to use specific tools to tighten bolts or other securing means orthe like.

When assembled, the roof assembly provides a centrally positionedopening with the inner edges of the roof segments terminating inupstanding flanges which together form a collar, and a bonnet or vent orthe like is secured over the collar and the bonnet is secured to theroof members by means of suitable hooks or fastening means or the likeagain without having to use any special tools.

In known prefabricated and demountable building structures special toolsare required to assist in assembly and disassembly and this disadvantageis overcome by the present invention. Additionally known structures arefor the most part laborious and timeconsuming in assembly anddisassembly requiring a number of people to assist in the erection anddemounting and these disadvantages are also overcome by the presentstructure.

It is the main object of the present invention to provide a buildingstructure which consists of prefabricated component parts and which isstrong and durable and draughtand moisture-free and which is readilyassembled or disassembled in a minimum of time and with a minimum ofeffort without the necessity of having to provide any specific tools toassist in the erection or demounting, and which when demounted isreadily transportable from one location to another.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a structureas above-described which consists in part of a number of floor segments,roof segments and wall segments with the roof segments being usedinterchangeably, and the wall segments being used interchangeably, andthe floor segments being used interchangeably to avoid the necessity ofhaving to follow any numbered sequence in assembly thus reducingassembly time.

The structure according to the invention may have many uses, such as ahut or shed for use by hunters or fishermen, a childrens playhouse, acottage, etc. Additionally, individual units may be used as modularconstructions joined together to form a complex, with additional modularunits being added as the need arises.

The above and other objects will become apparent from the followingdescription of a specific construction with reference to theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an erected building or shelter according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of a floor assembly according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention and showing the centralfloor disc and various floor segments interlocking therewith;

FIG. 3 is a detailed plan view of the central floor disc showndiagrammatically in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an individual floor segment showndiagrammatically in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a floor segment as shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of one wall segment according to the preferredembodiment of the present invention when in upright position;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a wall wedge clamp employed to secureabutting wall segments together;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a wall wedge clamp taken along line llllof FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12l2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of one of the roof segments;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the roof segment shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line l616 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a roof wedge clamp used in securingabutting and adjacent roof segments together;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the roof wedge shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is an outer end view of the roof wedge clamp shown in FIGS. 17and 18;

FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic side sectional view illustrating theinterlocking relationship between a floor segment, a wall segment and aroof segment;

FIG. 20a is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of the wall to roofinterlock;

FIG. 21 is a side sectional view of a suitable bonnet or vent showing atoggle fastener for use in securing the bonnet or vent to a roofsegment; and

FIG. 22 is a partial side sectional view of the inner portion of a roofsegment secured to the vent by means of a suitable toggle fastener andconnector clip.

In the attached drawings the floor assembly is shown as consisting of acentral circular disc member and a number of floor segments which aregenerally frustotriangular in configuration having inner and outer edgesof arcuate shape to provide a floor assembly or circular shape. The wallassembly consists of a number of wall segments which are generallyrectangular and have a horizontal cross-section of arcuate shape toprovide a wall assembly of generally cylindrical shape. The roofsegments are frusto-triangular having inner and outer edges of arcuateshape and which are generally arcuate in lateral cross-section and whichtogether form a generally frusto-conical roof assembly.

It will be appreciated however that while only one specific constructionhas been illustrated other modified forms are possible. By way ofexample, the central floor disc could be polygonal or hexagonal oroctagonal in shape rather than circular, and the floor segments wouldhave straight inner edges to abut against the straight sides of thedisc. The outer edges of the central disc could then be arcuate (asshown) or straight, and if straight the wall segments would not have acrosssection of arcuate shape but rather would be planar, with each wallsegment abutting and interlocking with a corresponding floor segment.The number of wall segments would correspond to the number of sides ofthe floor assembly and the wall assembly would define an enclosure ofpolygonal cylindrical shape. The roof segments would correspond innumber to the wall segments, and need not be arcuate in lateralcross-section but may be planar, and the outer edges of the roofsegments may be straight or arcuate if desired as may the inner edges.If the inner edges of the roof segments are straight then of course thebonnet or vent will be provided with a corresponding shape.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that forpurposes of illustration that there are eight floor segments, and eightwall segments and eight roof segments which together form a generallycylindrical enclosure having a substantially conical-shaped roofportion. However it will be appreciated that more or less than eight canbe used as a number for the roof segments and/or wall segments and/orfloor segments.

Each floor segment is generally frusto-triangular in configurationhaving inner and outer edges of arcuate shape and straight side edges(or radial edges in assembled position). For purposes of brevity in thisdisclosure however such segments are simply referred to as floorsegments or sections.

Each wall segment is generally rectangular in side view and arcuate inhorizontal cross-section. Such segments however will simply be calledwall segments or sections.

Each roof segment is generally frusto-triangular in configuration havingarcuate inner and outer edges and straight side or radial edges and isarcuate in transverse cross-section. For the purpose as discussed abovesuch segments will be called simply roof segments or sections.

Referring now specifically to FIG. I, the building structure accordingto the present invention consists of a number of wall sections 2 whichare secured to upstanding side-by-side abutting relationship by means oftapering wall wedge clamps 4, and the wall segments 2 are secured to andinterlocked with the flooring unit indicated generally at 6 as will beexplained in more detail below. The wall wedge clamps 4 may taperuniformly but this is not critical.

The roof of the structure consists of a number of roof segmentsindicated by number 8 which are secured in side-by-side abuttingrelationship by means of taper roof wedge clamps 10. The roof sectionsor segments 8 when assembled provide a generally conical closure havinga central opening which is capped by means of a bonnet or ventarrangement shown generally by numeral 12.

Each of the wall segments 2 are identical in over-all configuration butas desired suitable windows 14 or doors 16 may be provided in individualwall segments. The positioning of windows and a door in desired wallsegments is a matter of simple design and installation and it is notbelieved that further clarification is required above, other than to saythat various windows and the door used would preferably be provided withsuitable locking mechanism so that the building structure may be securedagainst burglarism during the absence of the inhabitants. The windowmaterial used may preferably be a transparent plastic or like materialto reduce the chance of breakage during transport.

Attached FIGS. 2 through 7 illustrate a floor assembly for the presentbuilding structure, with the floor assembly consiting of a centrallypositioned disc 18 and a number of floor sections or segments indicatedgenerally by numeral 20. The positioning of these various floorcomponents is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 2.

The central disc 18 is shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4 and it will beappreciated that the outer circular periphery of the disc 18 is providedwith a groove 22 to receive an inwardly directed rib 24 provided on theinner arcuate edge of each of the floor segments 20. This rib 24 isclearly shown in attached FIG. 6. The upper outer peripheral edge of thecentral disc may also be provided with a recess 26 to receive aninwardly directed rib 28 (FIG. 6) provided on the floor segments. In apreferred construction, the groove 22 may be provided with centeringwedges 30 to be received within corresponding recesses 32 (FIG. 7)provided centrally along the arcuate inner surface of each floor segment20 for purposes of correctly aligning the various floor segments duringconstruction. The aperture 32 or recess is centrally positioned in theinner arcuate rib 24 of each of the floor segments and it is apparentthat the central disc 18 will be provided with a number of centeringwedges 32 corresponding to the actual number of floor segments employed.

In addition to interlocking with the central disc in the mannerdisclosed, each adjacent floor segment also interlocks with each other.This will be clearly appreciated from attached FIG. 5 from which it willbe seen that the edge 34 of a floor segment is provided with anoutwardly projecting rib 36 whereas the other edge 38 of the floorsegment is provided with a groove 40 to receive the rib 36 provided onan adjacent floor segment. In a preferred construction, edge 34 isprovided with a locating block 42 to be received within thecorresponding recess 44 provided on the other edge 38. The provision ofthe locating block 42 and the recess 44 will assure correct aligning andpositioning of adjacent floor segments.

The central disc 18 may be provided with a central recess or opening 46for purposes to be described hereafter.

In order to secure the various floor section components againstundesired movement during erection of the remaining components of thestructure, each of the floor segments 20 may be provided with a floorstrap 48 (see FIG. 5) with one end of the floor strap being secured toone end of the arcuate outer edge of each floor segment by means ofsuitable screws or bolts 50. The portion of the strap 48 projecting pastthe edge 38 of the floor segments is provided with an aperture 52 toreceive a strap post 54 provided on an adjacent floor segment. Of coursethe floor straps 48 will be recessed within the outer defined circularperiphery of the floor structure so as to provide snug fitting of thevarious wall segments when erected.

The outer arcuate edge of each of the floor segments 20 is provided witha groove 56 to receive a corresponding inwardly directed rib 58 providedon the lower inner surface of each of the wall segments (see FIGS. 9 and20). The groove 56 provided on each floor segment may also preferably beprovided with a suitable number of striker plates 60 each provided witha shallow indentation 62 to receive a spring-loaded ball catch 64 (seeFIGS. 8 and 9) spaced along the upper surface of the inwardly directedrib 58 of each wall segment. These spring-ball catches 64 provide for asnapping-in action when the wall sections are placed in engagement withthe floor segments. Correct positioning of the spring-loaded ballcatches 64 may be assured by providing a tapered recess or notch 68within the groove 56 to receive a tapering block 70 carried by each ofthe wall segments (see FIG. 8).

As will be clearly seen from FIG. 8, each of the wall segments 2 isarcuate in horizontal cross-section whereby when all of the wallsegments are assembled together, they provide a cylindrical enclosure.

Each of the wall segments 2 are provided with vertical edges 72 and 74as will be seen from FIG. 8. The vertical edge 74 is provided with anoutwardly directed rib 76 to be received within a corresponding groove78 provided on an adjacent wall segment. Thus when the various wallsegments are assembled they provide an interlocking along their verticalabutting edges to provide against moisture and draught. The verticaledges 72 and 74 are additionally provided with outwardly directedflanges 80 and 82 respectively, which together form a double flangearrangement or a wedge clamp flange having oppositely facing grooves 80'and 82' respectively to receive the inwardly directed edges 84' of thegenerally C-shaped (in cross-section) wall wedge clamps 84 which areshown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

The lateral width'of the flanges and 82 on each wall segment increasesdownwardly whereby when the C-shaped wall wedge clamp 84 which alsocorrespondingly increases in width in a downward direction is slid ontothe abutting flanges 80 and 82, the wedge 84 provides a wedging actionthus tightly securing adjacent wall sections together and guardingagainst the entry of draughts and moisture. FIG. 12 which is a sectionalview taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 1 illustrates the positioning of thewedge member 84 with respect to the flanges 80 and 82 carried byadjacent wall sections 2. The lower end of the clamp 84 will of coursebe open, but the upper end is preferably closed as shown at 85 in FIG.10.

The wall wedge clamp 84 may advantageously be provided with a raiseddouble-ended knock-out lug 86 to assist in positioning and removal ofthe wedge 84 when it is desired to assemble or disassemble the building.Of course any suitable hammering implement may be used against theknock-out lug 86 to provide positioning of or dislodgement of the wedgemember 84 when desired.

As the combined widths of abutting flanges 80 and 82 increase in adownward direction and inasmuch as the width of the wedge 84 increasesin a downward direction by a corresponding amount, it is quite apparentthat the positioning of the various wall segments and the positioning ofthe wedging elements 84 will result in a sturdy and draught-proof andmoisture-free cylindrical enclosure.

The dimensions of the flanges and the wedges 84 will preferably be suchthat the wedge must forceably be moved its last few inches of travel toensure a firm interference fit.

If desired, the interior surface of the wall sections 2 may be providedwith suitable moulding 88 to extend inwardly over the outer arcuateedges of each of the floor segments to provide a neat and cleanassembly.

The upper edges of each of the wall sections are provided with upwardlydirected ribs 90 which are adapted to be received within grooves 92provided on the lower surface of the outer edges 94 of each of the roofsegments 8. The provision of the flanges or ribs 90 and the grooves 92is clearly shown in attached FIG. 20.

The various roof panels used are shown in detail in FIGS. l3, l4, l5 and20. The roof panel 8 has side edges 96 and 98 with the side edge 96being provided with a longitudinal groove 100 to receive a longitudinalrib 102 provided on the edge 98. Additionally, as in the case of thefloor segments, the roof segments will be provided with location blocks104 and location block receiving recesses 106 to assure positivealignment of adjacent roof segments.

As clearly shown in FIG. 14 the ends of the outer edge of each roofsegment 8 may be provided with recesses 92'. The purpose of theserecesses or notches 92' is two-fold. Firstly, the recesses 92' receivethe upper ends of the wall flanges 80 and 82 and the wall wedge clamp84, and secondly they act as locating recesses for correctly positioningthe wall segments with respect to the roof segments.

The edge 96 and the edge 98 of each of roof segments are provided withan upstanding flanges 108 and 110 respectively, which together form,when two adjacent segments are placed together a wedge-receiving flangehaving oppositely directed grooves to receive a roof wedge 112 which isshown in FIGS. 17, 18 and 19. The cross-section of the roof wedge issimilar to that of the wall wedge 84 and which is shown in FIG. 11.

The roof wedge 112 may be provided with a suitable knock-out lug 114 toassist in the positioning and removing the wedge when it is wished toerect or demount the building.

The width of the flanges 108 and 110 increase inwardly as does the widthof the wedge member 112 with the result that by sliding the clampingmember inwardly over the clamping flange formed by the abutting flanges108 and 110 a secure and moistureproof roof assembly is provided.

The outermost end of the flange 112 and which is indicated at number 116 in the attached drawings, is bent downwardly to the form shown inFIG. 19 to completely cover the line of joinder of adjacent roofsegments. This prevents entry of moisture and draughts during stormyperiods.

The positioning of the roof clamping member 112 over the flanges 108 and110 is clearly shown in FIG. 16 which is a sectional view taken alongline 16-16 of FIG. 1.

The various roof segments 8 are secured to the wall segments 2 bysuitable catch or latch arrangements such as a toggle latch 117 as shownin FIG. 20. Any suitable number of catches 117 may be employed asrequired.

The inner end of each roof segment 8 is provided with an upstanding lipor flange 118 which provides a collar arrangement as shown generally at119 in FIG. when all of the roof segments are arranged in position.Additionally, the inner end of each of the roof wedges 112 is providedas an upwardly directed lip 120 which recesses snugly against theupwardly directed flange 118 of adjacent roof segments when the wedge112 is fully pushed inwardly into position. The circular openingprovided by the collar is closed by means of a suitable vent or bonnetarrangement shown generally at numeral 12 in FIG. 21. A lower sleeveportion 124 of the vent 12 is provided with a downwardly opening groove126 to receive the upper edges 118 of the roof segments when inassembled position. As clearly shown in FIG. 21, the fitting of the ventsleeve 124 snugly encloses the inner ends 120 of the roof wedge clamps112 and also the upstanding flanges or lips 118 of each of the roofsegments whereby any entrance of moisture or draught is prevented. Thebonnet or vent 12 may engage over the lips I 18 in a tapering fit asshown to facilitate installation and removal. Additionally, it will beappreciated that when the vent or bonnet arrangement 12 is secured ontothe collar by means such as a toggle fastener arrangement showngenerally at 128 in FIG. 22 removal of the roof wedges 112 is prevented.The roof wedges 112 can be removed only after first removing the ventstructure 12 and the vent structure can be removed only by loosening thefasteners 128 from the inside of the structure.

Additionally, inasmuch as the wall wedges 4 slide downwardly intowedging position, it will be appreciated that removal of the wedge 4 ispossible only after the roof elements have been removed and the roofelements can be removed only after the vent structure is removed and thetoggles or latches 117 disengaged and this is possible only from theinside the building structure with the result that once the door islocked it is impossible for any burglar or intruder to enter or demountthe building without first forcibly opening the door or gaining entrythrough a window.

As will be clearly seen from FIGS. 14, 20, 21 and 22 the inner loweredges of the roof segments 8 may be provided with downwardly dependinglips or flanges 130 providing grooves 132 around which a suitable togglefastener 128 arrangement may engage to snugly hold the vent arrangementon the top of the conical roof structure.

While any suitable vent-bonnet arrangement 12 can be used it ispreferred that the arrangement be of a type that can be opened forventilation and closed during cold or inclement weather. Additionallysuitable means could be provided for receiving a stove pipe in the ventto dispose of smoke if the structure is to be heated.

A suitable but not limiting vent arrangement is shown very generally inFIG. 21. The sleeve 124 extends upwardly and is capped by a cap 134secured thereto. The portion 136 of the sleeve 124 within the skirtportion 138 may be provided with open, preferably screened ports forventilation. A closure ring or sleeve 140 is mounted for suitablevertical movement to open and close the ports. In FIG. 21 the sleevewhich may be guided by bolts or posts 142 is closed against seals 144and 146 to close the vent and prevent ventilation. The center area 148of the sleeve 140 is open and it will be appreciated that by loweringthe sleeve 140 with respect to sleeve 124 that ventilation will beprovided through the ports and centrally through the sleeve 148.Suitable means for holding the sleeve 140 in either open or closedposition will of course be provided but such as not shown in thedrawings.

As discussed above the central floor disc 18 may be provided with acentral opening or cylindrical recess 46, and the purpose for this maybe two-fold. During one man assembly a suitable pole or other type ofrod (not shown in the drawings) which may be telescoping or adjustableis positioned upright in hole 46. The top of the rod is provided withmeans to support a ring having a diameter somewhat larger than thediameter of the collar 119 whereby roof segments may be laid against andsupported by the ring during erection of the complete roof structure.The ring may be provided with a suitable diameter to be received withinthe grooves 132 provided on each roof segment; and the ring in factshould be split to permit an increase in its diameter to receive thelips 130 of the last few roof segments erected. The top end of the rodmay project upwardly above the structure during erection, and the bonnetl2 hung on the upper end of the rod during positioning of all of theroof segments. After all of the roof segments are positioned the rod maybe removed or shortened to lower the bonnet into correct position.

After all of the roof segments are positioned the rod may be removed(but the ring will stay in position) and the aperture 46 used to support5 shorter rod or tube to act as a table support, or clothes hanger orthe like.

In larger structures the rod could be left in position if desired.

It is suggested that the members such as the various wedge clampingmembers 4 and 10 and the vent structure 12 be manufactured from somemetallic corrosiveresistant material such as aluminum or other suitablemetal alloy; whereas the central floor disc, floor segments, wallsegments, and various roof segments can be made of any suitable materialsuch as aluminum or metal alloy as desired, but the latter componentscan preferably be made from a fibreglass-reinforced plastic material inview of the resulting economical advantages. Stiffening ribs or membersof wood or aluminum or the like may be molded in the segments ifdesired.

The structure may of course be made of any suitable size, but a floordiameter of about 8 feet, a wall height of 6 feet and an overall heightof close to 8 feet has been found to be suitable.

In FIG. 9 the spring-loaded ball catches 64 are shown being positionedon the inwardly directed ribs 58 of the wall segments 2 for engagementinto indentations or recesses provided in the floor segments 20. Howeverit will be appreciated that a reverse arrangement is also possible, thatis, the ball catches 64 could becarried by the floor segments forengagement either with the inwardly directed ribs 58 or the molding 88provided on the wall segments.

Also the wall segments 2 are preferably provided with location blocksand recesses (not shown) in the same manner as blocks 42 and recesses 44in the floor segments, and blocks 104 and recesses 106 in the roofsegments to maintain adjacent wall segments in proper alignment bothduring and after erection.

Although a very specific arrangement of component parts has beendisclosed in the foregoing description and in the accompanying drawings,it is clear that various modifications are possible and are within thescope of this inventive concept and that the foregoing disclosure andattached drawings should not be construed as limiting the inventiveconcept involved.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A prefabricated and demountable building structure consisting of afloor, a wall assembly and a roof assembly and a bonnet or vent cappingthe roof assembly, the floor interlocking with the wall assemblyinterlocking with the roof assembly, the wall assembly consisting of anumber of substantially identical wall segments with each of the wallsegments having vertical side edges for abuttment against vertical sideedges of adjacent wall segments, and outstanding vertical flangesprovided on vertical side edges of the wall segments, the verticalflanges of abutting wall segments providing a wall wedge clamp flangewhich increases uniformly in width in a downward direction, and a wallwedge clamp having a width increasing uniformly downwardly slideablymounted on each wall wedge clamp flange to secure adjacent wall segmentstogether, the roof assembly consisting of a number of substantiallyidentical roof segments with each of the roof segments having side edgesfor abuttment against side edges of adjacent roof segments, andupstanding side flanges provided on side edges of the roof segments, theside flanges of abutting roof segments providing a roof wedge clampflange which increases uniformly in width in an inward direction, and aroof wedge clamp having a width increasing uniformly inwardly slideablymounted on each roof wedge clamp flange to secure adjacent roof segmentstogether, and wherein the floor is circular, and the wall assembly issubstantially cylindrical and the roof assembly is substantiallyconical, the wall segments being generally arcuate in horizontalcrosssection and the roof segments being generally frustotriangular inconfiguration and having an arcuate lateral crosssection, and whereinthe roof segments have inner and outer edges of arcuate shape andstraight side edges, the side edges of adjacent roof segmentsinterlocking, the inner edges of the roof segments being pro vided withupwardly directed ribs which together form a collar to receive the saidbonnet or vent, the said roof wedge clamps being provided on their innerends with upwardly directed flanges which contact the said collarexteriorly and are received within a downwardly directed circular sleeveprovided on the bonnet or vent.

2. A structure according toclaim 1, wherein the floor consists of acentral disc member, and a plurality of floor segments abutting againstand radially positioned around the central disc member, the floorsegments being generally frusto-triangular in configuration and havinginner and outer edges, inner edges of the floor segments abutting andinterlocking with the central disc member, the side edges of adjacentfloor segments being abutting and interlocking.

3. A structure according to claim 2, wherein the floor is provided withan outwardly projecting peripheral rib received ininterlockingrelationship with a groove provided interiorly in thesubstantially wall assembly.

4. A structure according to claim 2, wherein the wall assembly isprovided along its top edge with an upwardly directed rib received ininterlocking relationship in a downwardly opening groove provided in thesubstantially conical roof assembly.

5. A structure according to claim 2, including an inwardly projectingmolding provided on the wall segments, the molding overlying uppersurfaces of the floor segments when the wall segments are ininterlocking relationship with the floor segments.

6. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the said wall and roofwedge clamps are provided with outstanding double-ended knock-out lugsto assist in assembly and disassembly of the structure.

7. A structure according to claim 1, including a door or window providedin at least one of the wall segments.

8. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the floor, and wall androof assemblies are constructed of fiberglass-reinforced plasticmaterial.

1. A prefabricated and demountable building structure consisting of afloor, a wall assembly and a roof assembly and a bonnet or vent cappingthe roof assembly, the floor interlocking with the wall assemblyinterlocking with the roof assembly, the wall assembly consisting of anumber of substantially identical wall segments with each of the wallsegments having vertical side edges for abuttment against vertical sideedges of adjacent wall segments, and outstanding vertical flangesprovided on vertical side edges of the wall segments, the verticalflanges of abutting wall segments providing a wall wedge clamp flangewhich increases uniformly in width in a downward direction, and a wallwedge clamp having a width increasing uniformly downwardly slideablymounted on each wall wedge clamp flange to secure adjacent wall segmentstogether, the roof assembly consisting of a number of substantiallyidentIcal roof segments with each of the roof segments having side edgesfor abuttment against side edges of adjacent roof segments, andupstanding side flanges provided on side edges of the roof segments, theside flanges of abutting roof segments providing a roof wedge clampflange which increases uniformly in width in an inward direction, and aroof wedge clamp having a width increasing uniformly inwardly slideablymounted on each roof wedge clamp flange to secure adjacent roof segmentstogether, and wherein the floor is circular, and the wall assembly issubstantially cylindrical and the roof assembly is substantiallyconical, the wall segments being generally arcuate in horizontalcross-section and the roof segments being generally frusto-triangular inconfiguration and having an arcuate lateral crosssection, and whereinthe roof segments have inner and outer edges of arcuate shape andstraight side edges, the side edges of adjacent roof segmentsinterlocking, the inner edges of the roof segments being provided withupwardly directed ribs which together form a collar to receive the saidbonnet or vent, the said roof wedge clamps being provided on their innerends with upwardly directed flanges which contact the said collarexteriorly and are received within a downwardly directed circular sleeveprovided on the bonnet or vent.
 2. A structure according to claim 1,wherein the floor consists of a central disc member, and a plurality offloor segments abutting against and radially positioned around thecentral disc member, the floor segments being generallyfrusto-triangular in configuration and having inner and outer edges,inner edges of the floor segments abutting and interlocking with thecentral disc member, the side edges of adjacent floor segments beingabutting and interlocking.
 3. A structure according to claim 2, whereinthe floor is provided with an outwardly projecting peripheral ribreceived in interlocking relationship with a groove provided interiorlyin the substantially wall assembly.
 4. A structure according to claim 2,wherein the wall assembly is provided along its top edge with anupwardly directed rib received in interlocking relationship in adownwardly opening groove provided in the substantially conical roofassembly.
 5. A structure according to claim 2, including an inwardlyprojecting molding provided on the wall segments, the molding overlyingupper surfaces of the floor segments when the wall segments are ininterlocking relationship with the floor segments.
 6. A structureaccording to claim 1, wherein the said wall and roof wedge clamps areprovided with outstanding double-ended knock-out lugs to assist inassembly and disassembly of the structure.
 7. A structure according toclaim 1, including a door or window provided in at least one of the wallsegments.
 8. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the floor, andwall and roof assemblies are constructed of fiberglass-reinforcedplastic material.